What to Expect Before and After Varicose Vein Surgery

Published on: August 2, 2017

For varicose veins that are painful or are causing ulceration, surgery may be recommended to remove these veins. While there are other options for treating varicose veins, if you choose surgery, you should know what to expect before and after. Your vascular surgeon will go over the expectations with you, but before you decide to undergo this procedure, you should know the basics.

Before Surgery

There are tests that may need to be done to ensure you qualify for varicose vein surgery, including an ultrasound and exam with a handheld Doppler. Before the surgery, you may need some blood tests and possibly an ECG to ensure you are healthy enough for the surgery.

After Surgery

Recovery from varicose vein surgery can take a few weeks. There is some pain and discomfort to be expected; the discomfort escalates from day one through about ten days before it begins to subside. However, you will be able to walk and move, which is recommended to reduce the risk of blood clots. Most people can return to work in 1-3 weeks after surgery, depending on their health and the type of job they perform.

Non-Surgical Treatments for Varicose Veins

Due to the substantial recovery time for surgical removal of varicose veins, many patients and vascular surgeons prefer non-surgical treatments. There are several options to consider that are non-invasive and have a much quicker recovery time. These include laser therapy, sclerotherapy, ablation and phlebectomy.

If you have varicose veins you want removed, make sure to look at all your options. Talk to a vascular surgeon that offers both surgical and non-surgical treatments to remove varicose veins and consider which treatment is right for you.

Posted on behalf of:
Alan Benvenisty, MD
1090 Amsterdam Avenue
New York, NY 10025
212-523-4706

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